Parents of the High School Class of 2017/College 2021

[Poohforyou]

Thank you for that information. I just read up a bit on it and it's an interesting story. Temple had to spend more than $22 million more in financial aid last year than was originally budgeted because they started to hand out merit scholarships automatically depending on GPA & test scores. Two people lost their jobs, the Provost and the President. BUT, the article that I read said that the merit money really changed the university for the better making it more diverse.

It is an interesting story. I had never heard a school handing out money automatically based on GPA and test scores. All the schools we looked at and dd ultimately applied to said merit is given based on a variety of factors but never said if your GPA is X and your SAT is Y you'll get $Z.

The most any said was the top X% of applicants receive merit scholarships.

I really feel for those having to make tough decisions based on money. It's hard when your child works so hard.

 

[laughinplace199]

Well just heard back from Temple. The scholarship appeal was denied Looks like I'll have to fly to Florida next Thursday to visit FSU. My daughter sent us the email while I was in ShopRite… Needless to say I just cried in the car

I think we are going to end up crossing BC off the list too. It's DS's first choice, but I just don't think we can justify the cost. There is more of a difference between BC and UMass than we first thought. We are visiting UMass Amherst on Tuesday and hope to find out more about the honors college there.

Ours came down to the extra debt, too. But he's happy with the less expensive choice.

I know its's hard when our kids aren't able to go to their top choice school, whether it's due to finances, waitlist/not getting in, etc, but maybe it's a good thing. I can't help but feel that maybe it's fate's way of pointing them in the direction of where they're meant to be.

DD has crossed BC and Vassar off her list, so we are down to Bates and Hamilton. She really loves them both and I think she'd be happy at either, so we'll see what she deicdes. She has decided to stay on the waitlist at a couple of schools, but she knows the chances of getting off the waitlist are slim. I just want her to pick a school and start getting excited about all she has ahead of her!

 

[karenos]

I know its's hard when our kids aren't able to go to their top choice school, whether it's due to finances, waitlist/not getting in, etc, but maybe it's a good thing. I can't help but feel that maybe it's fate's way of pointing them in the direction of where they're meant to be.

DD has crossed BC and Vassar off her list, so we are down to Bates and Hamilton. She really loves them both and I think she'd be happy at either, so we'll see what she deicdes. She has decided to stay on the waitlist at a couple of schools, but she knows the chances of getting off the waitlist are slim. I just want her to pick a school and start getting excited about all she has ahead of her!

Coming out of lurkdom to say that my DD is choosing between Hamilton and Colby. We are right down to the wire. Good luck to all.

 

[Mom3girls]

Hopping on a plane in the AM to visit FSU. Can't wait for the beautiful weather but I know I will be very emotional because my daughter will probably decide she wants to go there Wish my husband could go with us but it's VERY expensive to fly into Tallahassee

 

[robinb]

Hopping on a plane in the AM to visit FSU. Can't wait for the beautiful weather but I know I will be very emotional because my daughter will probably decide she wants to go there Wish my husband could go with us but it's VERY expensive to fly into Tallahassee

Does she have another school that she likes that is closer?

 

[laughinplace199]

Hopping on a plane in the AM to visit FSU. Can't wait for the beautiful weather but I know I will be very emotional because my daughter will probably decide she wants to go there Wish my husband could go with us but it's VERY expensive to fly into Tallahassee

Good luck today. I hope she loves it!

 

[laughinplace199]

Coming out of lurkdom to say that my DD is choosing between Hamilton and Colby. We are right down to the wire. Good luck to all.

Good luck with the decision making. They're both great schools!

 

[LilTinkFan]

Soooooo........ we have a LONGHORN in the house! He got in after all.

Congratulations!

We ordered our announcements this week. Separate from the invitation order that was done in February. Does anyone's local paper do an article listing graduate and school?

 

[robinb]

It is an interesting story. I had never heard a school handing out money automatically based on GPA and test scores. All the schools we looked at and dd ultimately applied to said merit is given based on a variety of factors but never said if your GPA is X and your SAT is Y you'll get $Z.

Iowa State does. Your merit aid is based on class ranking, GPA and ACT/SAT scores and it's automatic.

 

[robinb]

I
DD has crossed BC and Vassar off her list, so we are down to Bates and Hamilton. She really loves them both and I think she'd be happy at either, so we'll see what she deicdes. She has decided to stay on the waitlist at a couple of schools, but she knows the chances of getting off the waitlist are slim. I just want her to pick a school and start getting excited about all she has ahead of her!

Coming out of lurkdom to say that my DD is choosing between Hamilton and Colby. We are right down to the wire. Good luck to all.

Good luck making decisions! Wouldn't it be funny if they both chose Hamilton .

 

[bjscheel]

Iowa State does. Your merit aid is based on class ranking, GPA and ACT/SAT scores and it's automatic.

Yep, I think every school DD looked at in the Midwest had a chart where you could look up the automatic merit scholarship based on GPA & ACT.

Congratulations!

We ordered our announcements this week. Separate from the invitation order that was done in February. Does anyone's local paper do an article listing graduate and school?

Our paper will have a page with senior pictures of everyone.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Good luck to everyone still deciding! DH, DS18, and I visited UMass Amherst on Tuesday as part of their 'YouMass' days program. We got to go to an informational session on their Honors College program, ask questions of current students, take tours, and DS was part of a mock class with one of the professors.
We also got to dine on campus. The college was voted #1 by the Princeton Review for college dining! And, I could see why. The amount and quality of selections was amazing! I would choose them just for the food, lol.
The weather was beautiful and we had a good time. I don't think DS is quite ready to let go of the BC dream, but we are getting close. At the end of the day I told him we could go to the school store if he wanted and he chose to get a UMass baseball cap. That is a good sign!

In other news, he and his girlfriend broke up last week. I think it's for the best. But, it hasn't helped his disposition and now he doesn't have a prom date. He has lots of female friends, but he's already helped match them up with other friends. There is over a month until prom, so we shall see.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Yep, I think every school DD looked at in the Midwest had a chart where you could look up the automatic merit scholarship based on GPA & ACT.



Our paper will have a page with senior pictures of everyone.

I wish the schools around here did that! It would have made this process so much easier!

 

[LilTinkFan]

Good luck to everyone still deciding! DH, DS18, and I visited UMass Amherst on Tuesday as part of their 'YouMass' days program. We got to go to an informational session on their Honors College program, ask questions of current students, take tours, and DS was part of a mock class with one of the professors.
We also got to dine on campus. The college was voted #1 by the Princeton Review for college dining! And, I could see why. The amount and quality of selections was amazing! I would choose them just for the food, lol.
The weather was beautiful and we had a good time. I don't think DS is quite ready to let go of the BC dream, but we are getting close. At the end of the day I told him we could go to the school store if he wanted and he chose to get a UMass baseball cap. That is a good sign!

In other news, he and his girlfriend broke up last week. I think it's for the best. But, it hasn't helped his disposition and now he doesn't have a prom date. He has lots of female friends, but he's already helped match them up with other friends. There is over a month until prom, so we shall see.

We are in the middle of the dumping of boyfriend. I know what a dilemma that is for senior prom!

 

[robinb]

Good luck to everyone still deciding! DH, DS18, and I visited UMass Amherst on Tuesday as part of their 'YouMass' days program. We got to go to an informational session on their Honors College program, ask questions of current students, take tours, and DS was part of a mock class with one of the professors.
We also got to dine on campus. The college was voted #1 by the Princeton Review for college dining! And, I could see why. The amount and quality of selections was amazing! I would choose them just for the food, lol.
The weather was beautiful and we had a good time. I don't think DS is quite ready to let go of the BC dream, but we are getting close. At the end of the day I told him we could go to the school store if he wanted and he chose to get a UMass baseball cap. That is a good sign!

Swag is always a good sign! My DD has 2 ISU tees.

In other news, he and his girlfriend broke up last week. I think it's for the best. But, it hasn't helped his disposition and now he doesn't have a prom date. He has lots of female friends, but he's already helped match them up with other friends. There is over a month until prom, so we shall see.

We are in the middle of the dumping of boyfriend. I know what a dilemma that is for senior prom!

Sorry your kids are breaking up with their boy/girlfriends. I *wish* my DD would break up with her BF. I think he's at least half the reason she's holding out for the UW-Madison.

I broached the subject of the UW Connections Program with her last night because we have to let them know by May 1:

The Connections Program offers select applicants, who are Wisconsin residents, the opportunity to start at a partner college or university and finish their bachelor's degree at UW-Madison -- and hold the distinctive UW-Madison student status from the beginning. Connections Program students receive a campus ID and are granted access to campus resources and student services at UW-Madison while at their own home institution.

Some high school graduates are ready to start out at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while some might want or need to start at another Wisconsin college or university. But everyone who desires a degree from UW-Madison wants to know they are on the right path to that degree. The Connections Program gives Wisconsin’s students a clear path to earning a UW-Madison degree.

Students who participate in this unique program are dually admitted to UW–Madison and one of the 20 Connections partner campuses. The students enroll as freshmen at a partner campus and simultaneously receive most new freshman privileges at UW–Madison. Upon completion of the Connections Program, the students enroll at UW–Madison as juniors to continue studies toward a bachelor’s degree.

She flat-out said NO! Now, I don't really care one way or another but it seems to me that if graduating a Badger is what is important to her she should at least apply to the program. Edited: I guess the pull of the BF isn't enough to have her stay in town and go to the community college.

 

[bjscheel]

Our prom is this Saturday, DD is just going with a guy friend. A year ago, though, she had a boyfriend and knew she definitely didn't want to break up before prom! Wishing the weather could be as nice as last year. Forecast is 60 and partly cloudy. If the wind is calm, it may be fine for outdoor pictures. At least it's expected to be dry.

 

[Brazen Wench]

I am not a parent of a kid who is graduating in 2017, but I am very close to a parent who has a kid graduating in that year as I am that kid. I just want to say I haven't read all the posts here from the parents but as a kid graduating in June I need to give a huge shout out to all of you and especially my Mom. You all helped us get here in many ways and shaped us for our futures and should be commended for that. I can tell you there were many days that Mom insisted I get up early on a Saturday for Dance practice when I wanted to sleep and now I am going to NYU to study Dance and pursue my dream. There were also the many late nights helping me with School Projects that I certainly would have not have been able to get done on my own. The countless nights where my brain felt like I was exploding from studying for the SAT's and Mom having just the right words for me. Also the social events of doing my hair and make up and helping me pick out just the right dress and shoes. Attending all the Theater Programs and Choir Programs. My Mom also did all the this on her own as my Dad has not been in my life and also while owning her own business. That is just my Mom(Parent). I know most of the parents have done most of the same thing I listed and even some more as I didn't even play sports in High School. So as we go across that stage and get our diploma you all will share a huge piece of it as well.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I am not a parent of a kid who is graduating in 2017, but I am very close to a parent who has a kid graduating in that year as I am that kid. I just want to say I haven't read all the posts here from the parents but as a kid graduating in June I need to give a huge shout out to all of you and especially my Mom. You all helped us get here in many ways and shaped us for our futures and should be commended for that. I can tell you there were many days that Mom insisted I get up early on a Saturday for Dance practice when I wanted to sleep and now I am going to NYU to study Dance and pursue my dream. There were also the many late nights helping me with School Projects that I certainly would have not have been able to get done on my own. The countless nights where my brain felt like I was exploding from studying for the SAT's and Mom having just the right words for me. Also the social events of doing my hair and make up and helping me pick out just the right dress and shoes. Attending all the Theater Programs and Choir Programs. My Mom also did all the this on her own as my Dad has not been in my life and also while owning her own business. That is just my Mom(Parent). I know most of the parents have done most of the same thing I listed and even some more as I didn't even play sports in High School. So as we go across that stage and get our diploma you all will share a huge piece of it as well.

Best wishes! My daughter is a dancer (ballet) and I know how time consuming it is and how disciplined you must be. She is in an intensive program,though she is not planning on a career in the arts. She has many friends who are and I know how super competitive it is. Kudos to you for being accepted into a program!

 

[Brazen Wench]

Best wishes! My daughter is a dancer (ballet) and I know how time consuming it is and how disciplined you must be. She is in an intensive program,though she is not planning on a career in the arts. She has many friends who are and I know how super competitive it is. Kudos to you for being accepted into a program!

Thank You, I have done Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, and Hip Hop/Modern and I am pursuing the big goal of becoming a Broadway Dancer. If that does not happen I certainly will still be happy teaching children and performing locally.

 

[Mom3girls]

Does she have another school that she likes that is closer?

Her first choice was Temple, which is about 30-40 min from home. She took her ACTs a second time and did great but Temple wouldn't accept her score so she was only offered $5,000 per yr compared to roughly $24,000 per yr. We appealed the scholarship offer, they made us wait a month and a half before they said sorry, can't offer any more $. So.... off to FSU we went!!